Quadruplex telegraph system.



C. J. APP.

QUADRUPLEX TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1907.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

' period of no current on line, and preventing I termediate its lengthand provided with any a similar spring or tongue 10 projecting in nectedto a post 12 to which the lead-13 is connected, and the outer end of thelever 10 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CASPER J. APP, OF LYNOHBURG, VIRGINIA.

QUADRUPLEX TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

Application filed September 23, 1907. Serial No. 394,182.

burg, in the county of Campbell and State of Virginia, have inventedcertain new and I useful Improvements in Quadruplex Telegraph Systems;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and. exactde- 'scription of the invention, such as Wlll en- 1 able others skilledin the art to which it apl pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in telegraph systems, and theobject in view is the reduction or substantial elimination ofthe'sparking produced by changes in polarity or potential, and theshortening of the loss in current by eliminating certain resistances.

lVith this and further objects in view, the invention comprises certainnovel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will behereinafter fully described and claimed. I

In the accompanying drawing :Figure 1 is an outline view of atransmitter and a pole changer, and the associated elements constitutingone set for one terminal of .a line. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of thetransmitter. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the pole changer. Fig. 4 is anoutline view of a modified form of transmitter, indicating theadaptability of the invention for providing an increased number of stepsin variation of potential. i

Referring to the drawing by numerals, 1 indicates generically thetransmitter and 2 the pole changer. v I

The transmitter 1 consists of the usual lever 8 mounted on anysuitablepivots 4 inordinary armature 5 positioned for'being influenced by theelectro magnet 6 of the local circuit 7 controlled by usual transmittingkey S. The outer end of the'lever 3 actuates a laterally extendingcontact springor tongue 9 projecting in one direction and the oppositedirection, said springs being insulated from each other and from thelever. The outer end of the lever 9 is conis connected to the post 14with which the lead 15 is connected. Posts 12 and 14 areso Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

on these springs can be controlled by a slight movement of said posts.Above the spring 9 is positioned a post 16, carrying a contact set screw17, and connected, with lead 18, and below the screw 9 is a similar post19, having a similar contact set'screw 20, and connected with lead 21.Above the spring 10 is a post 22 provided witha'contact set screw 28 andconnected with lead 24 and below the said. spring 10 is a post 25provided with a contact setscrew 26, and connected witlrlead 27. Thelead 18 extends'to the positive pole of'a source of high potentialclcctrica l supply 28, which may be a dynamo as indicated in the drawingor a battery as n'efcrred, the negative pole of the dynamo or othersource of electrical supply being grounded. The lead 21 extends to thepositive pole of a low potential source of electrical supply 29, thenegative pole of said electrical source ofsupply being grounded. Thelead 2? e'xtendsto the negative pole of a low potential source ofelectrical supply 30 and the positive pole of said source of electricalsupply is grounded- The lead 24 extends tothc negative pole of a highpotential source of electrical supply 31, and the positive pole thereofis grounded, delivering in either position of the lev epfi a potentialpractically equal to that olfithe source of current supply. Interposedin each of the leads 18, 21, 24 and 27 is the usual incandescent lamp 38for safety resistance'purposes.

Thc pole-changer 2 consists of the usuallerer 32 pivoted, as, at 33,intermediate its length and provided w1th any ordinary armature 34influenced by the usual electro magnet controlled by thelocal circuit36, said local circuit. being governed by the usual transmitting key 37.Insulated from each other and, from the lever 32 are springs or tongues39 and 40 which are actuated by the free end of the leverand extendlaterally from the opposite sides thereof. The outer end of the spring39 is connected with a post 41, which post is connected to lead 42,which lead is connected with a contact set screw 43 arried by a post 44beneath the spring 40. Beneath the spring' 39 ex tends a post 45 whichcarries the contact set screw 46 extending upwardly toward the spring39, said post 45 being connected with the lead 15. The outer end of thespring 10 is connected with a post 47 which in turn isvconnected withlead 48. A post 49 eX- tends above the spring 40 and carries a contactset screw 50. Post 49 is connected with the lead 13. Posts 41 and 47 areso related to-springs 39 and 40 that the tension of the 5 springs iscontrolled by a slight movement of said posts.

For convenience of reference in tracing the circuits hereinafter, Ishall refer to the several contact set; screws and their posts connectedto leads as contact points, and for the sake of clearness the contactpoints have been indicated by arrowheads in the outline showing inFig, 1. When the lever 3 is at its at rest position, the springs 9 and10 rest res ectively upon the contacts and 26,

an when the lever 32 is in the at rest position, the spring 40 rests onthe contact 43, and the spring 39 rests on the contact 46, the contacts43 and 46 being so positioned 20 relative to their respective springsthat as the free end of the lever 32 is elevated, the spring 40 firstleaves the contact 43 and afterwards the spring 39 leaves the contact46, and immediately after the spring 39 has left the contact 46, thespring 40 Wlll make contact with the contact 50.

The lead 48 extends to the branch wires 51 and 52 which may connect withthe ordinary neutral relay, eliminating resistances in branches 51 and52, but by preference a neutral relay 53 is provided of the three coiltype wound differentially, two of the coils beingconnected respectivelywith branches 51 and 52, and the third winding in series with condenser54 and an adjustable'resistance 55, arranged in lead 56, connected withline 57. Obviously a suitable fixed resistance and an adjustablecondenser may be substituted for the adjustable resistance 55 andcondenser 54. The opposite end of the third winding communicates withthe ground wire 59 by lead 58. The wire 59 is provided with the usualbalancing resistance 60 and condenser 61. The use of the condenser 54and resistance eliminates the necessity for resistance in the branches51 and 52. The main line windings of the relay 53 are connected by leads62 and 63 with the differential polarizedrelay 64, the windings 50connected with lead 62 being also connected by lead 65 with line 57 andthe windings connected with lead 63 being also connected with thegrounded wire 59. The neutral relay specified is patented, and thereforeis em- "55 ployed merely as a preferred form of strucand resistance 55-being the only novel tact 46, to spring 39, to lead 42, to contact tionbetween the main and artificial lines, and further serving to reduce theinterfer ence due to the period of no current on line owing to reversalsof the distant ole changer. This particular arrangemento the thecondenser 54 also reduces the condenser capacity required toapproximately one-half that at present utilized, and for this purposethe resistance of the windings of the relays 53 and 64 diverting asufiicient current for energizing the condenser 54. I

It is obvious, of course, that I do not propose to limit myself in thepresent invention to the particular arrangement of, relays or to thepartic lar type disclosed, as the present invention is susceptibleof-use with any ordinary form of relay, such as has been commonlyemployed. in, quadruplex telegraph systems) While the three windingrelay is the preferred arrangement, the relay with three windings is notabsolutely essential, and to demonstrate this point I have indicatedbythe dotted lines 66 and 67 the connections which might be provided so asto entirely eliminate the third winding from the relay 53.

It is of, course obvious, that four keys will be employed, of which twoare utilized solely for interrupting and controlling the receiving ofmessages, while the other two keys are utilized for the transmission ofmessages, and the two ,transmittin ke s being really the only,activekeys in t e operation, only the transmitting keys have been illustrated.

In order to make more obvious to those skilled in the art, the operationof the present invention, the several circuits will be traced accordingto all possible re1ationship of the two transmitting keys.

Assume that both the keys 8 and 37 are closed, starting at the positivepole of the high potential source of electrical supply 28 through lead18 to contact point 17, through spring 9, to lead 13, to contact point50, to spring 40, to lead 48, to branches 51 and 52, where the currentdivides passing to the main and artificial lines in the usual manner,the arrangement of the condenser 54 features at this point. Now assumingthat the key 37 is opened and the key 8 left closed, the dropping backof the lever 32 will result in reversing the current to line' withoutalteration in the potential, the circuit being as.follows: Beginning atthe negative pole of the high potential source of electrical. supply,through lead 24, to contact 23, to spring 10, to lead 15, to con- 43, tospring 40, to lead 48, and branches 51 and 52' etc., as above described.Thus it is obvious that the manipulation of the polechanger 2 sim )lyserves to reverse the A current while t e same potential is maintainediNow assuming that the key 8 is opened and the key 37 closed, there Wlll.be a change in potential, the following circuit being established:Beginning at the positive pole of the low potential source of electricalsupply 29, through lead 21, to contact point 2O, to spring 9, to lead13, to contact point 1 5D, to spring 40, to lead 48, and to branches 51and 52 etc., as above set forth, thus putting low potential, positivecurrent to line,

1' practically equal to potential of source of I current supply. Nowassuming that the key it 37 is Upened and the key 8 remains opened,

' the current to line will be reversed without altering the potential,the following circuit being established: beginning at the negative poleof the low potential source of electrical supply through' lead 27, tocontact point 26, to spring 10, to lead 15, to contact point 46, tospring 39, to lead 42, to contact point 43, to spring 40, to lead 48 andto branches 51 and 52 etc, as above set forth. Incoming going impulses,but in order. to more clearly indicate the travel of the same the"various circuits will be traced. Assuming that both keys 37 and 8 areclosed, and

, "startingwith a current or impulse coming. 30.

in over. line 57, the same passes to wire 48,

1.. spring 40, contact point 50, wire 13, spring 9, contact 17 wire 18,through the positive lead of dynamo 28, and from thence to the ground."Now assuming that key 37 is open and key 8 left closed, the droppingback of lever 32 will result in reversing the current to line without,altering the potential, the

i path traversed by the in-coming impulses .being over wire 48, spring40, contact 43, .49 v

'10, contact 23, Wire 24, the negative lead wire-42, spring 39, contact46,wire 15,spring of; dynamo 31, and from thence to the ound. Nowassuming that key 8 is opened i and key '37 closed, there will be achange of potential,. and the in-coming impulses will traverse wire 48,spring 40, contact 50, Wire Q 1,3, sprin 9, contact 20, wire 21, thepositive lead of ynamo 29, and from thence to the earth. Assumingthatkey 37 is open, and

also key 8 remaining open, the current 'from;

line will'remain the same potential, but will he reversed, the pathtraversed being wire 48, spring 50, contact 43, wire 42, spring 39,

contact'46, wire 15, spring 10, contact 26, wire 27, the negative sideof dynamo 30,

and from thence to the ground. Thus it becomes obvious that manipulationof the I transmitter '1 varies the potential to line 5J nd themanipulation of the pole changer 2 reverses current to line. During thereversing of the current to line there is a tendency 4 duces theefiiciency of the apparatus. the present improved structure this spark-815' [of sparking which burns the points and re In is largely, and infact almost entirely which of course,tends to prevent mutilation ofsignals received by that relay.

Obviously while the transmitter and pole changer have been indicated aspositioned horizontally, they may be positioned vertically, or otherwiseas found preferable Without departing in. any degree from the spirit andscope of the present invention. The lever of either the pole changer orthe transmitter may be disposed. vertically with the electro magnetcontrolling the same disposed horizontally instead of the parts beingarranged-as shown, and various detail altera tions may be made withinthe scope of the present invention.

Several phases of the present invention which I consider of considerableimportance reside in the elimination of the wasteful resistancesordinarily employed in dynamos or other heavy current sources of supplyfor reducing the voltage when a. changein potential is desired, as bythe improvement in this respect, the transmitter will deliver 'apotential practically equal to'the potential.

of the source of current supply and insures delivery of a steadiercurrent to line, variafrom changes in value of the resistances,heretofore used, due to overheating. The elimination of the resistancesof course eftions in current having formerly resulted fects aconsiderable economy in the cost of maintenance and operation.

Obviously, the present improved pole changer may be employed inconjunction with a duplex telegraph system .and also with all forms ofmultiplex systems employing a pole changer, and when so used it will befound that higher speed and better signals will result than heretoforeon account of the closer adjustment possible.

" 'It will be observed that .the lovers of the pole changer andtransmitter are used solely toactuate the tongues or springs resting ontheir free ends, which results in a good firm contact belng made in anyposition of these levers, and thus firmer signals are produced atgreater speed and with more margin than is now possible. i

I have indicated in Fig.4 an outline of a slightmodification consistingin the employing in combination with the transmitter 1, in addition'tothe elements above described, which in Fig. 4 bear the same numerals asin the other figures and to which the foregoing description willaccurately apply, two sets of contracts 68, 68 connected to a sourceof'electrical supply representingan intermediate potential. For thepurpose of readily disclosing this feature, ordinary batteries have beenindicated conventionally in Fig. 4, but obviously dynamos mightbe'employed if preferred, and from the indication of the intermediatepotential points 68, it becomes obvious that as many steps of differencein potential may be utilized as desired, for increasing the number ofvariations in potential of the current to line, at a potentialpractically equal to that of the source of currentsupply, the utility ofwhich is of course well known to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is-:

1. In a telegraph system, the combination of a plurality of sources ofpositive electricity of different potential, a plurality ofsources ofnegative electricity of different .potential, a transmitter for puttingto line different currents of electricity according to their potential,a pole changer for putting to line currents of electricity according totheir nature, an artificial line and a main line branched from the leadfrom the pole changer, a neutral and a polarized relay interposed insaid lines, a condenser disposed between one of said relays and the mainline and an adjustable resistance in series with said condenser.

2. In a telegra'ph system, the combination of a plurality of sources ofpositive electricity of different potential, a plurality of sources ofnegative electricity of difi'erent potential, and a transmitter forputtingto line different currents of electricity according to theirpotential, said transmitter comprising a pivotal lever, an electromagnet for operating said lever, springs actuated 'by said lever andinsulated therefrom and from each other, a contact for positiveelectricity spaced at one side of one of said springs, and a similarcontact for similar electricity of different potential spaced at theother side of said springs, a contact for negative electricity spacedfrom one side of the other of said springs, and a contact for similarelectricity of different potential at the other side of thelastmentioned spring, the said spring being adapted to, be moved bymovement ofthe lever under the action of said magnet from a position incontact with one set of contacts to a position in contact with the otherset, delivering in either position a potential practically equal to thevoltage of;

current supply and thereby increasing the current in line, and leadspermanently connected with the respective springs.

3. In a telegraph system, the combination of a plurality of sources ofpositive electric ity of diiferent potential, a plurality of sources ofnegative electricity of, different potential, a transmitter for puttingto line different currents of'electricity according to their potential,and a pole changer for putting to line currents of electricity accordingto their polarity, said pole changer comprising a pivotal lever, anelectro magnet for operating the same, a. sprin mounted on the side ofsaid lever and rigi' ly held in place with said ver for in and havingone end contacting lever, insulating places on said e sulating saidspring, a contact for negative electricity for one of said springs, acontact. for positive electricity for the other'of said springs, a leadextending from the first mentioned spring, a contact communicating with'said lead and disposed foreontacting with the second mentioned springwhen said spring is not in contact with said second contact for positiveelectricity, and a lead to line permanently engaging the second men:

tioned spring the positive and negative conla tacts being disposedforbeing ,alternately engaged according to the position of the said leverassumed under theaction of the electro magnet.

4. In a telegraph system, the combination of a plurality of sources ofpositive electricity of difi'erent potential, a plurality of sources ofnegative electricity ofdifierent potential, a transmitter for putting toline difi'erent,lines of electricity according to their potential, and aole changer for utting to'line currents of electricity according totheir nature, said pole changer comprising a pivotal mounted lever, anelectro magnet for operating the same, means for operating the magnetwhenever desired, a, spring positioned on each side of saidlever andextending at right angles thereto, means for rigidly holding saidsprings in position, means for adjusting the tension of 'said springs,insulation mounted on said lever and insulating said springs from eachother, a contact for positive electricity placed at one side of saidspring, and a similar contact for similar electricity of differentpotential placed at the other side of said spring, a contact fornegative electricity placed" at one side of the other of said springs,and a contact for similar electricity of different potential placed atthe other side of the last mentioned spring, the said spring beingadapted to be moved by said pivotally mounted lever under the action ofsaid magnet from a position in contact with o i'e set of contacts to aposition in contact 'with'the other setfor delivering in either positiona potential equal to the voltage of currentsupp'lied.

5. Inga system of telegraphy, thev combination with a plurality of highpotential rality of binding posts, springs rigidly s'ecured to saidbinding posts and extending towards each other, means for varying theposition of said binding posts for regulating the tension of saidsprings, contacts posisewn is tioned above end-below 00 th of saidsprings, I at (me side with the artificial line and at the means forinsulating said springs from. each other side is the main line, and acondenser other, means for moving said springs eat of I interposed insaid connections, and a recontact with one set of said contacis andsistzmce in series with said condenser.

e inio Contact with the remaining eentacts, In "fiestimony whereof Iafiix my signature 15 leads from said contacts, a pole changer for I inpresence of two Witnesses. putting to line currents of eiecti'ieiey ec-CASPER J. APP.

cording t0 their polerity, e relay a bifur- Witnesses: ca-ted lead fromsaid relay is said pole GEO. A. TRENT,

1 change-r, a winding on said relay connected 1 R. E. MITQHELL.

